New England Patriots fans were dealt sad news on Monday when former running back Rex Burkhead announced his NFL retirement. The former Nebraska rusher racked up 1,882 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns across four seasons in a Patriots jersey and was even a part of the Super Bowl LIII-winning team.
With Burkhead's career in the rearview, Patriots fans are wondering who'll be the next player to retire. After all, Father Time is undefeated and it might not be long before more former New England players join Burkhead on the sidelines.
Here are three former Patriots who are most likely to retire next.
1. K Nick Folk
Patriots fans are familiar with veteran kicker Nick Folk from spending the 2019 to 2022 seasons in New England.
Even though the Patriots didn't win a title during that window, Folk was a consistent special teams contributor. He suited up in 57 games during his four-year stay, connecting on 89.3% of his field-goal attempts — the second-best success rate on the five teams he played for — and 91.3% of his extra-point tries.
Folk remained effective with the Tennessee Titans in 2023, leading the NFL with a 96.7% field-goal success rate. Having said that, the ex-Arizona Wildcat turns 40 in November and while kickers have longer careers than most positions, it wouldn't be surprising if the Los Angeles native calls it a career. Spotrac lists his career earnings at $23.5 million (seventh-highest among active kickers), so it isn't as if he needs to play for the money.
Considering how players rarely get to retire when they're still as efficient as he is, don't be surprised if Folk calls it a career sooner rather than later.
2. RB Brandon Bolden
Brandon Bolden is another ex-Patriots running back who could retire soon.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Bolden spent eight of his first nine seasons in a Patriots jersey before spending the last two with the Las Vegas Raiders. While he was never the league's best RB during his time in New England, the Baton Rouge, LA native tallied 2,095 scrimmage yards and 15 TDs across 115 contests and even won two Super Bowl rings.
After Bolden, 34, discussed the idea of retirement before the 2023 NFL season, it might be time for him to consider hanging up the cleats. The former Mississippi rusher has hardly made an impact with the Raiders over the last two seasons, seeing only 21 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown in 33 appearances without a start.
Additionally, Bolden only saw five offensive snaps throughout the 2023 campaign — down from 82 in 2022. He spent the majority of the time on special teams (356 snaps, 82%), indicating that he likely isn't an everyday offensive player anymore.
With how much NFL teams favor younger running backs, it's hard to imagine Bolden being a good fit anywhere at this stage of his career.
3. QB Brian Hoyer
If you've been a Patriots fan over the last 15 years, chances are you remember Brian Hoyer. After all, the former Michigan State signal-caller spent parts of eight seasons across four stints with the Patriots.
Hoyer got to live most backup QBs' dream. With Tom Brady as the QB1 during his early years with the team, Hoyer got to sit back and observe from the sidelines more often than not. In fact, he didn't even make a single start when he and Brady were on the team together. The situation wound up benefiting the 38-year-old as he eventually was a part of the Super Bowl LIII-winning team.
After a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, Hoyer returned to the Patriots in 2020 to back up the likes of Cam Newton and Mac Jones before leaving for the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason. His stint in Sin City was largely forgettable, though, as he only completed 53.1% of passes for 129 yards and two interceptions in his lone start.
Hoyer is never going to be a starter and there are plenty of backup QBs who are better and younger than him. Unless a team is desperate for a veteran mentor, a Hoyer retirement announcement could come as early as this offseason.
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